The two-weekend area celebration of Fiestas Patrias concludes Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with authentic Mexican food, live music, dance and a whole list of fun activities for children and adults.

The community-wide festival has been celebrated at the East side church since 1927. Everyone is welcome to attend, said Pete Martinez, business manager for the church, and admission and parking are free.

The area celebration is probably best known for its authentic homemade Mexican food and traditional activities.

“The food selections will be the same as in previous years,” Martinez said, “with 16 (outside) food booths set up, along with the gorditas and enchilada plates (enchiladas, rice and beans), served inside the hall.

“Our famous gorditas are made by hand with pita bread and come with either chicken, pork or beef,” he said. “The price is reasonable, and some people buy up to 30 at a time. They normally sell out at by 10:30 p.m.”

The recently added Tacos al pastor dish (rotisserie grilled seasoned pork steak served on a tortilla) also returns to the menu, along with all of the dish’s popular add-ons.

“We have genuine beef fajitas for sale, as well as beef or chicken quesadillas.” There is also roasted corn, funnel cakes, and elotes - cups of corn mixed with cheese, sauce and mayonnaise.

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Various community groups and organizations showcased parts of the traditional Mexican culture during the Fiestas Patrias Parade through downtown Wichita Falls Saturday morning.
Patrick Johnston/Times Record News

To drink there will be bottled water, soft drinks and flavorful aguas frescas made from fruits like mango, watermelon and strawberries.

Throughout the day, there will be all sorts of fun entertainment including cakewalks, Ballet Folklorico dancers and other amateur entertainers. Inside there will be bingo from 4 to 8 p.m. for senior citizens and youngsters.

Musically, DJ Alex Ochoa will spin from 2 to 5 p.m., and area band Ritmo de Hoyos will begin playing Tejano among other genres at 8 p.m.

The raffle returns with $2 tickets for a chance to win nine gift cards worth collectively over $3,000. Top prize is a $1,000 gift card to use at Carneceria los Cuates. Winners need not be present to win, though they must pick up their gift card within 30 days.

The all-day Fiestes Patrias festivities at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is a way bring people from all over the community (and area) together to celebrate Mexican food and culture as well as to help fund church operations including their critical outreach programs in the community.

On Saturday, Sept 9, the church opened the two-weekend celebration with a morning Fiestas Patrias parade in downtown Wichita Falls and a King and Queen coronation dance later that night at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The church also throws an annual Cinco de Mayo festival.

Martinez emphasized that everyone is welcome, regardless of denomination or cultural heritage, to attend the all-day Saturday Fiestas Patrias celebration.

The annual Fiestas Patrias celebrates the date Mexico “declared” its independence from Spain, September 16, 1810. A Roman Catholic priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla went through the streets of Dolores with Our Lady of Guadalupe flags and called the people together with the Grito.